Our People
Experienced and Diverse Finance Team
We have a team of staff ranging from Financial Consultant, Senior Accountant, Intermediate Accountant, Payroll Officer, Rates Officer and Rates Specialist. Our team is comprised of experienced local government finance managers and exemplary accountants from other backgrounds. This ensures we consider other ways of doing things as well as increasing the pool of resources for local government.
Senior Staff
Michele Bennetts
Managing Director
and Financial Consultant CPA
Michele Bennetts
Managing Director
and Financial Consultant CPA
Starting her career at the Local Government Association of South Australia, Michele has held positions within the City of Marion, City of Norwood Payneham and Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Over the past eight years Michele has been consulting to rural and remote councils various aspects of financial management and governance.
Rebecca McCarthy
Chief Executive Officer CPA
Rebecca McCarthy
Chief Executive Officer CPA
Rebecca has over 20 years’ experience in government accounting, with the majority of that time spent working within the local government sector. Rebecca’s most recent role was as a finance manager at a regional South Australian council, where she led the finance and customer service team. Rebecca has experience in financial and management accounting, implementation of new systems and processes, and project management.
Julie Scoggins
Financial Consultant CPA
Julie Scoggins
Financial Consultant CPA
With over 10 years spent in senior corporate and finance roles in local government, Julie has experience in managing teams of staff and coordinating a wide range of finance functions. Her most recent role as Manager of Financial Services required responsibility and oversight of procurement, finance partnering, financial accounting, reporting, management, project accounting and payroll, accounts receivable/payable and rates services. Julie is also hands on with the preparation of annual budgets and long-term financial plans.
Annette Martin
Financial Consultant FCPA, GAICDAnnette has recently joined us as a Financial Consultant, bringing over 25 years of experience in the local government sector. She has held pivotal roles on the Executive of the SA Local Government Financial Management Group and has been instrumental in improving financial management practices across the sector in developing long-term financial plans, key industry sustainability ratios, harmonising statutory reporting, and an internal controls framework. Annette has also served on council Audit and Risk Committees and as a Board Member for the LGFA.
Claire McNamara
Senior AccountantClaire is a seasoned local government accountant with over 20 years of experience in Councils. Claire has extensive experience in budgeting, forecasting, asset management and managing finance teams within local government. Claire is a team player who seeks to encourage and develop her teammates to achieve the best outcomes for the organisation.
Dahlena Hammat
Rates and Finance OfficerDahlena has joined LGiQ, having worked in local government for 6 years in various roles, including rates and finance. She holds a Diploma of Accounting, Advance Diploma in Conveyancing and Certificates in Government studies. Dahlena has hands on experience in end-to-end processing of Council rates functions, accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations and payroll. Dahlena is a quick learner and adaptable to any situation, with a can-do attitude and ready to take on any rates or finance task, big or small.
Hayley Rabig
Senior Accountant CPAHayley is a Certified Practicing Accountant with extensive experience across financial and management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis. She has held senior finance roles within a large industrial environment, where she developed strong analytical skills and a focus on delivering high-quality financial insights to support decision-making. Hayley is also passionate about mentoring and building strong relationships with stakeholders.
Jody Starick
Senior Accountant CPABefore joining LGiQ, Jody spent over 18 years in the Aged Care, not-for-profit industry; working in management accounting, data analysis and grant management. She has had first-hand experience in transactional services, IT implementations and financial accounting. Jody is a passionate advocate of working with people to improve their systems and processes. She believes in sharing as much as she can of her knowledge with others so they can grow and upskill.
Kate Edwards
Intermediate AccountantBefore commencing with LGiQ, Kate worked in the local government sector for over 14 years. As a Finance Project Officer, Kate assisted with insurance reviews, general ledger restructure and banking transition. Kate also has experience in accounts payable and receivable, payroll, budgeting and reconciliations as well as preparation of reports and acquittals. Kate brings a variety of skills to the team and can assist with a range of finance tasks.
Kasia Prus
Senior Accountant CPAWith extensive experience in local government accounting and auditing, Kasia brings a strong skill set to LGiQ. She is adept at achieving organisational objectives, enhancing departmental efficiency, and driving operational excellence. Her auditing background enables her to engage effectively with stakeholders across diverse cultural, professional, and technical sectors. Kasia spent four years with Bentleys auditors, where she developed a solid foundation in auditing and financial analysis, further refining her technical and interpersonal skills.
Lachlan Kirchner
Intermediate Accountant CPALachlan is a Chartered Accountant with experience in financial reporting, compliance, and business advisory, supported by strong analytical skills. He has worked with clients across a range of industries delivering accurate reporting, budgeting, and data-driven insights to support business performance. Lachlan brings a proactive and disciplined approach, with a focus on continuous improvement and high-quality outcomes.
Rebecca Lamshed
Senior Accountant CPAWith over 20 years working in a variety of accounting roles and industries, Rebecca brings a broad skill set and a wide variety of knowledge to LGiQ. Her most recent experience utilised her in-depth understanding of accounting IT systems onboarding organisations and training their staff. Rebecca has specific expertise in areas covering management reporting, manufacturing accounting and identifying and implementing system efficiencies.
Sally Thomas
Rates SpecialistSally is an experienced local government rates professional with over a decade of experience at a South Australian regional Council. She brings strong expertise in property and assessment management, compliance with rating legislation, and delivering efficient, customer-focused rates administration. Sally is known for her attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement in rates processes.
Donna Stubbs
Senior AccountantDonna is an experienced accountant with a strong background in local government, including over a decade supporting financial operations, budgeting, and reporting. She has extensive experience partnering with operational teams, delivering budget insights, and supporting long-term financial planning and capital reporting. Donna is recognised for her practical approach, strong communication skills, and focus on improving processes and team outcomes.